‘Darkness into Light’ walk in Carlow got underway to the sound of bagpipes

A HAUNTING melody played on bagpipes signalled the start of the Darkness into Light walk on Saturday 9 May at 4.15am.

“That’s what gets me,” said Ian Hannon, chairperson of the organising committee. “I think that for anyone who does it, it’s moving. It’s a gorgeous walk from darkness into light,” he said.

This year, there were over 1,060 people in attendance – a “fantastic turnout,” according to Ian.

“There were loads of dogs this year,” he also noted.

It seems the Carlow event has raised over €20,000 for Pieta House, a suicide awareness and prevention organisation. “We had just under €21,000 last year, so we were hoping to beat that. If we had just a couple more euros than last year, then that would be brilliant,” said Ian.

The group took a route from Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach, through the town and over the Barrow Track, back to the school, taking about an hour in total. “The sun was rising as we were coming through Graiguecullen park,” Ian recalled.

The town hall, Potato Market and Deighton Hall were lit up, courtesy of Carlow Co Council, and there was a light-up sign saying ‘HOPE’ along the way also.

Ian thanked the many volunteers, of which there were about 60 or 70. “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do it. When you’re trying to move a thousand people around Carlow town, it’s a lot of work.” 

Ian is happy that it all went off without a hitch and “everyone got back safely”. The organising group is taking a week or two to recuperate before they tackle next year’s event, which will again be based out of the Gaelcholáiste.

“There’s a 1,001 people that we need to thank,” said Ian. In addition to the volunteers, people who made donations and the local authority figures who made it happen, he thanked the people who showed up to walk. “If ten people show up, or 10,000 people come, whoever’s there gets the benefit of it. Without people showing up, it’s pointless.”